History of Business Education

In 1925 business courses were
frequently called “Commercial” Courses
and were considered part of a General
High School Curriculum.
– Typewriting – Shorthand
– Business Math – Business Law – General
Business – Accounting – Marketing

Business subjects were “Academic”.
From 1917 – Smith-Hughes Act –
Vocational Education included
agriculture, home economics, &
industrial technology.
 In the mid-1960’s the legislation was
passed to include business education &
marketing education.
 Vocational dollars were designed to :

– Promote programs, recruit students
– Purchase needed equipment
– Professional development for teachers
Pros & Cons
Some business educators supported
the inclusion while others did not.
 Schools/programs had to apply to their
state divisions of VE to receive funds.
 Teachers were supposed to meet the
requirements for vocational certification.
 Some did, but many did not.


Many business educators wanted to
retain their academic status.
– They viewed vocational education as
attracting inferior students.
– This perception prevails somewhat even
today.

The big shift began around 1970 when
schools, in large numbers, wanted to
replace their existing typewrites with
IBM Selectric typewriters. They also
wanted some data processing
equipment.
Spinoffs

Some programs & classes were physically
moved.
 Teachers entered vocational certification
programs.
 Money for new equipment became available.
 Programs, faculty, & students were lumped
together with other vocational programs
which were largely “blue collar” work with
your hands programs.
Late 90’s - future

Microcomputers & Microcomputer
Applications have resulted in an
elevation of the status of business
teachers and their subject matter
expertise.
– Students want and need the classes.
– Teachers are viewed as the technology
leaders in their schools.
– Demand for business teachers is high.
Goals Of Business Education

Promoting career awareness and exploration
of business careers
 Preparing students to be competent
consumers of goods and services.
 Providing a basic knowledge of economics
and the free enterprise system.
 Developing skills and knowledge needed in
managing personal business affairs including
computer skills
Goals of Business Education
Continued
Furthering competencies of a business
nature that have special supportive
value in other professions
 Inspiring respect for the value and
dignity of hones work
 Providing general business knowledge
skills, and understanding

Professional Organizations

NBEA: National Business Education
Assn.
– WBITE: Western Business & IT Educators
(11 western states & 3 Canadian
provinces. (WBEA)
– IBEA: Idaho Business Education Assn.

ACTE: Association of Career &
Technical Educators. (formerly
American Vocational Association)
CTEI: Career & Technical Educators of
Idaho (formerly Idaho Vocational
Association)
 Idaho Professional-Technical Educators
(name for summer conference)
 Techniques (formerly American
Vocational Assn. Journal)
 NABTE: National Association For
Business Teacher Education.
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SDPTE: State Division of Professional
Technical Education (formerly SDVTE)
BPA: Business Professionals of America
(student organization)
DECA: Marketing Education Association
FBLA: Future Business Leaders of America
DPE: Delta Pi Epsilon
NCEE: National Council on Economic
Education
– ICEE: Idaho Council on Economic Education